A customer touches a meerkat at an animal cafe in Seoul. A bill has been proposed to ban such businesses. Korea Times file

By Jung Min-hoA lawmaker has proposed a bill to ban wild animal cafes, which have sprung up across Korea in recent years.

Rep. Lee Yong-deuk of the governing Democratic Party of Korea proposed a bill last week to ban displays of wild animals such as raccoons at cafes and restaurants.

The number of these cafes has increased in Seoul and other big cities over the past few years, attracting customers who want to enjoy their drinks in the company of unique animals such as meerkats, foxes, flying squirrels and even snakes.

Under the current law, cafe owners can use wild animals for commercial purposes as long as they are not endangered species recognized by the government.

If the National Assembly passes the bill, violators could face imprisonment for up to a year or a maximum fine of 10 million won ($9,000).

Animal rights groups have welcomed the bill.

"It is impossible to provide proper environments for wild animals at cafes," Aware, a local animal rights group, said. "Animals could get stressed by frequent contact with random people. Such places are not safe for people, either. They may contract roundworms and get sick. We will continue our efforts until the Assembly passes the bill."